The Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala was opened by Melsanthi (head priest) on Sunday afternoon for the annual Niraputhari celebrations on Monday morning.
The rituals began with the devotees placing bunches of paddy spikes before the Pathinettampady leading to the temple premises in the morning. The Tantri, assisted by the Melsanthi and other priests performed the Niraputhari rituals between 5.45 a.m. and 6.15 a.m today.
The paddy spikes offered to the deity was distributed as prasadam among the devotees. Kalabhabhishekom, Ashtabhishekom, Padipuja, Udayasthamanapuja and Pushpabhishekom will be the important rituals to be performed today and the temple will be closed after Athazhapuja in the evening